Prior to his retirement in May 2021, Michael had been Chief Executive of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) since 2009 and its predecessors, the IRTC and BCI since 1991. Over the course of his 30 years in broadcast regulation, Michael oversaw the introduction of the licensing of independent commercial and community radio and television services in Ireland; the development of codes and standards in programming and advertising together with a compliance and enforcement policy; the promotion of media plurality and diversity initiatives including gender and Irish Language action plans; and the implementation of the Sound and Vision and Archiving broadcasting funding schemes.

Michael currently sits on the Boards of the Celtic Media Festival and the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA). He is also Chairperson of the Alcohol Marketing and Communications Monitoring Body which is responsible for ensuring that alcohol advertising in Ireland complies with Department of Health codes.